Founding America Tour Itinerary 10 Day Tour

Day 1: Arrival to Boston, MA

Welcome to the East Coast and the birthplace of America, after a flight from your hometown, check in at the hotel. This evening we gather with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at the hotel for a welcome and orientation meeting before heading out to dine at the oldest restaurant in America , The Union Oyster House. Overnight in Boston. (D)

After breakfast Sam Adams takes us to the Adams National Historical Park which contains the early homes of John Adams and John Quincy Adams as well as President Adams's Peacefield which was used as a summertime White House. Following in the debating spirit of John Adams, we will role play the debate for independence in the 2nd Continental Congress. With Sam Adams by our side, I am sure we will again decide on independence. The afternoon brings us to Lexington and Concord where the shot heard around the world were fired by or at the citizen soldiers called the Minute Men. We will tour Buckman Tavern and recreate the rebels stand on Lexington Greenwith some time to enjoy lunch in the quant New England town. A driving and walking tour through battle road retells the story of that fateful day. We also enjoy the fantastic multimedia theatre program "A Road to Revolution". In the afternoon we will visit the Old North Bridgewere Minute Men stood up to the world empire alone. We will follow part of the route that Dr. William Prescott and Paul Revere rode when they warned of the British Regulars march into the countryside in search of Patriot Leaders and supplies. We continue our way north towards Fort Ticonderoga, NY and dine at the Homestead Inn in Bristol NH, a tavern once owned by a Revolutionary War soldier, Benjamin Emmons. Overnight accommodation. (B,D)

Today we experience "America's Fort", Fort Ticonderoga, captured by Ethen Allen and Benedict Arnold in "Americas First Victory" and whose canons were transported to Boston by Henry Knox resulting in the British abandoning Boston. We will tour the fort with an emphases on its role in the American Revolution. We also focus on military uniforms with the 2014 exhibitFounding Fashion which brings together for the first time the museum's wide variety of important 18th-century clothing, related artwork, and archeological fragments to illustrate the diversity of clothing worn by the armies who served at Fort Ticonderoga during the French & Indian War and Revolution. We will also provide the supplies for you to build your own haversack and enjoy lunch on own at the fort (P.S. the chocolate ice cream is the best that I have ever had).

We travel south along the Hudson River Valley stopping at the Saratoga Battlefield including their museum and movie before arriving at General Washington's New Windsor Cantonment Historic Site. This site features reconstruction buildings of the final encampment of the Continental Army. Between June 1782 and October 1783, 7,000 troops were boarded here in 600 log huts over 1600 acres. Just like the Continental Army, we will set up tents, stand guard and partake of an open hearth cooking demonstration. Tonight dinner and lodging are completely 18th century as we relive history with our 18 hour Soldier's Life Living History Experience.Overnight at encampment (B,D).

Waking from our tents, our Soldier's Life Living History program continues with a camp breakfast then musket training and drilling. Once we pass inspection, we pay homage to the Revolutionary Soldiers that gave their lives to the cause of freedom, as we fire a salute from our Brown Bess Muskets* at the Fishkill Depot Burial Ground, the largest burial ground of American Revolutionary War soldiers identified in the United States. *must be 18 years old.

We have learned about Benedict Arnold the Hero, now understand his treachery as we dine on own at the Old 76 House which served as a jail his accomplice, Major John Andre. After our overnight encampment, we will fit right in for the Old 76 House has been a haven for weary travelers since 1668 and has hosted every General of the west wing of the Continental Army including Commander-in-Chief General George Washington.

With the spirit of Washington in our stomachs, we travel south to see where General George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware Riveron Christmas night in 1776 and then marched to Trenton. Here, after losing every major battle since the Declaration of Independence and with a volunteer army about to released from their year of service, Washington orchestrated an epic plan to defeat the British hired Hessian forces without losing a single American soldier. We continue our way to Valley Forge, site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. We debunk the myth of the conditions at Valley Forge as well as discuss its role in general Howe's taking of Philadelphia. We continue our way to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love which was created by William Pen as the center of his utopia for religious freedom for America. Dinner at the award winning City Tavern, home to famous Chef Walter Staib, creator of the PBS series "A Taste of History". Overnight in Philadelphia (B,D).

Day 6: Philadelphia, PA - Annapolis, MD

The exploration in Philadelphia starts with a walking tour of old Philadelphia. First we visit the famous Independence Hall, where courageous delegates from the thirteen colonies put their lives on the line by signing the Declaration of Independence; where George Washington was named commander-in-chief of the Continental Army; where Betsy Ross' design for the first flag was approved; and where the American Constitution was drafted - that's a whole lot of history in just one building!

Next door we will explore Congress Hall home of the House of Representatives and Senate from 1790 to 1800 and most importantly, were the first peaceful transfer of power occurred between President George Washington and President John Adams.

We continue our adventure with a visit to the new home of America's symbol of freedom , the Liberty Bell. Next, we stroll around to visit Philadelphia’s most important sites like the Executive Mansion; Carpenters Hall which is the site of the First Continental Convention where the 13 Colonies first met to unite into one country; Alfred's Alley; Quaker Meeting House; Benjamin Franklin’s Post Office; Betsy Rose's house; we will continue on to Christ Church where history is not a far off idea. Since 1695 through today, the building is still being used just the way it was when Ben Franklin, George Washington, Betsy Ross and William Penn attended services there. We continue with a visit to the site of Benjamin Franklin’s house sit and learn how Benjamin’s legacy continues to influence us today.

We will learn all about the "blueprint" of American democracy at the National Constitution Center, where you'll see Freedom Rising, a multimedia production that tells the story of this extraordinary document.

In the afternoon we drive to Annapolis, Maryland, where we will visit the State House, completed in 1779 it is America's First Peacetime Capitol and the oldest state house still in legislative use. It was the site of nationally important events during the American Revolution, including George Washington's resignation as commander in chief of the Continental Army from the army, and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. After this short visit, enjoy free time to stroll Annapolis picturesque Main Street. Dinner at Reynolds Tavern. Overnight in Annapolis (B,D).

Day 7: Annapolis - Mount Vernon - Williamsburg, VA

After breakfast we cross the Chesapeake Bay and follow General Washington’s route as a civilian to his home, Mount Vernon, Virginia. This is the estate that Washington called home for more than 40 years. He with his wife Martha Washington lived in the now most popular historic estate in America and the last reminder of the life and legacy of the Father of Our Country. Visit more than a dozen original structures, Washington's Tomb, 50 acres of plantation, working blacksmith shop, slave cabin and Washington's own invention of a 16 sided threshing barn among other interesting features of his home. Get inside Washington’s private life as we study colonial morals and visit the galleries that display original artifacts like the General's dentures which were made from many materials but never wood. The Educational Center showcases the painstaking research that culminated in the three most accurate likenesses of George Washington throughout his life as well as a realistic movie depicting the main battles of the General featuring chairs that rumble from canon fire and snow that fell during the daring crossing of the Delaware River.

Enjoy free time for lunch at Mount Vernon’s Food court or try the peanut soup at the Mount Vernon Inn. Lunch on own. Afterwards we continue in the footsteps of Washington to Colonial Williamsburg where the General started his political career as a member of the House of Burgesses. History is alive as we walk down the same streets, dine in the same famous tavernsand frequent the same shops as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Payton Randolph to name a few. Who knows, we may even meet some of them as we enjoy our evening tavern meal and living history night program. Overnight in Williamsburg (B,D).

Day 8: Williamsburg, VA

Experience life in the 18th century at America’s largest outdoor history museum. Colonial Williamsburg was the center of government education and culture in Colonial Virginia for most of the 18th century. The city exhibits dozens of authentic or re-created colonial houses and relating to American Revolutionary War. The main buildings include Raleigh Tavern, the Capitol, theGovernor’s Palace among others. On the far side of Duke of Gloucester Street from the Capitol is America's second oldest college, the College of William & Mary. Chartered in 1697 by King William and Queen Mary, W+M has educated US Presidents like Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler as well as 16 signers of the Declaration of independence and countless indian youth in attempts to enlighten our wild young democracy. This is a rare opportunity to experience history within a city that remains virtually unchanged from the time history occurred. We will take advantage of programs that have been specially designed by Colonial Williamsburg's education department.

To make the most of your time at Colonial Williamsburg you will always be accompanied by a costumed Licensed Guide of Williamsburg to inspire you through language, games, anecdotes and knowledge of where to find the best colonial chocolate. Lunch and dinner on own. We finish our day with another exciting Colonial Williamsburg evening program. Overnight in Williamsburg. (B).

The first stop this morning is Yorktown, VA. In 1781 this strategic place and battlefield was the stage were a British army commanded by General Cornwallis was forced to surrender to General Washington’s Army and French forces led by Comte de Rochambeau. This was the last major land battle and the victory that secured independence for the United States and significantly changed the course of world history. Since we are nearing the end of the tour and at the end of the war, we pay homage to the brave patriots at the Yorktown Battlefield Surrender Field before we head west to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and third President of the Unite States.

Before visiting Monticello, we have a stop for lunch. We will be welcomed at Michie Tavern and will be oriented through its history by taking a brief tour of the tavern followed by a dance class at the Ballroom where we will dance a lively colonial reel.Michie Tavern is a historic landmark and recreates 18th century tavern life and lets us experience a taste of the 18th century. We will enjoy a delicious lunch offering the best country fried chicken you ever had in your life, accompanied with mashed potatoes with gravy, beats, green beans, stewed tomatoes, cole slow, black eyed peas, corn bread, muffins, peach cobbler for dessert and to drink fresh apple cider or soft drinks.

After this plentiful lunch, we visit the house that Thomas Jefferson designed as we discuss colonial architecture and the live of slaves in colonial Virginia. Jefferson was a student of the enlightenment and could not live without books. We will pay our respects at his grave before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of the University of Virginia. At Monticello, Jefferson accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging more than 200 years ago, so as we shall dine at the base of Jefferson's "little mountain".

In the afternoon drive north to Alexandria, VA. This is our last night of tour so we will enjoy a farewell dinner at Gadsby's Tavern. Overnight in Alexandria (B,L,D).